Finding the Brain's Addiction Switch | Steven Laviolette | TEDxWesternU

The Human Condition; a concept that is intimately intertwined with every single one of our lives. All of us subscribe to the human condition and the diversity of what that means makes humanity the enigma that it is. Together we will try to navigate its definition from the perspectives of a variety of professionals. From implications on healthcare to business to human rights, TEDxWesternU 2015 will explore what it means to be human.

Steven Laviolette is an associate professor and N.A.R.S.A.D Young Investigator at Western University. Dr. Laviolette received his B.Sc. and PhD from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the neurobiological methods the brain uses to controls information and how perturbations to these systems can cause mental disorders. His research interests also include using single neurons and brain circuits in order to explore the underlining neuronal mechanisms of emotional associative learning. As a researcher, he has 42 publications that investigate several mental health domains such as addiction, schizophrenia and PTSD.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx